Cargo handling apparatus with a cargo boom which can be swung in a swivel bearing between two kingposts

ABSTRACT

In cargo handling apparatus with a cargo boom which can be swung between two kingposts, in which the cargo boom is provided at its upper end with an extension 1 which projects beyond the fittings of the main hoist, with a block fitting 2 for an auxiliary hoist being attached to the extension and with the auxiliary hoist being so rotatably arranged around the cargo boom axis that the lower edge of the auxiliary hoist cargo hook is free of the fittings of the main hoist with an approximately vertical position of the cargo boom, a block fitting 12 connected, fixedly or for only limited rotational movement, by means of a second extension 11 of the cargo boom with the block fitting of the first auxiliary hoist and is so arranged that, with the lower cargo block 15 in the raised position and with an approximately vertical position of the cargo boom, the lower side of the cargo hook of the second auxiliary hoist is also free of the block fitting of the first auxiliary hoist.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 306,922,filed Sept. 21,1981 now abandoned.

The invention relates to a cargo handling apparatus with a cargo boomwhich can be swung in a swivel bearing between two kingposts. Such cargohandling apparatus are well known in the art, for instance from U.S. PatNos. 2,914,193; 3,236,390 and 3,107,790. More specifically, theinvention relates to a cargo handling apparatus of this type whichcarries an auxiliary hoist at the upper end of an extension whichprojects beyond the fittings of the main hoist. The block fitting of theauxiliary hoist which carries the upper cargo block and the guide sheaveis rotatable about the axis of the cargo boom, and the guide sheave andthe cable sheaves of the upper cargo block are arranged on the blockfitting eccentrically of the axis of rotation thereof. The spacing ofthe block fitting of the auxiliary hoist from the fittings of the mainhoist is at least sufficiently large so that, with the lower cargo blockand cargo hook of the auxiliary hoist moved into the raised position andwith an approximately vertical position of the cargo boom, the loweredge of the cargo hook is free of the fittings of the main hoist. Such acargo handling apparatus is described for instance in German PatentPublication No. 2811384, published Sept. 20, 1979.

With cargo handling apparatus of the above described kind it is howeveroften desirable for crane work, and in particular also for floatingcranes operating off-shore, to have available, in addition to the mainhoist and an auxiliary hoist, a further or second auxiliary hoist eventhough this may only be required for smaller loads.

The problem underlying the invention is to provide assistance in thisaspect.

In order to solve this problem, in cargo handling apparatus of the abovetype a block fitting of a second auxiliary hoist is connected, fixedlyor for only limited rotational movement, by means of a second extensionof the cargo boom with the block fitting of the first auxiliary hoistwhich is rotatable about the axis of the cargo boom. Also, with thelower cargo block and the cargo hook moved into the raised position andan approximately vertical position of the cargo boom, the lower side ofthe cargo hook of the second auxiliary hoist is preferably free of theblock fitting of the first auxiliary hoist.

This connection, in accordance with the invention, of the block fittingof the second auxiliary hoist with the block fitting of the firstauxiliary hoist means that the second auxiliary hoist is necessarilyturned together with the first auxiliary hoist, when the first auxiliaryhoist rotates through approximately 180° to the other working region asthe cargo boom is swung through the plane of the kingposts, so that thesecond auxiliary hoist likewise hangs free for operation over the otherworking region.

In a further development of the invention the block fitting of thesecond auxiliary hoist can make restricted rotational movements throughan angle of approximately ±15° about the axis of the second cargo boomextension with the movement being limited by stops.

This possibility of the block fitting of the second auxiliary hoistrotating through approximately ±15° about the axis of the second cargoboom extension is advantageous when it is necessary for the twoauxiliary hoists to pull at an angle to one another. On the other hand,it is also necessary to restrict the freedom of rotation in order toensure that the second auxiliary hoist is also rotated into the otherworking region as the cargo boom is swung through the plane of thekingposts.

Finally, the second auxiliary hoist can operate independently of thefirst auxiliary hoist and, with appropriate dimensioning of theconnection, can also operate simultaneously.

The invention will be described further below in more detail withreference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1. shows the lower portion of a cargo handling apparatus inaccordance with the invention in the working position;

FIG. 2 shows the uppermost portion of the cargo handling apparatus ingreater detail;

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the cargo handling apparatus of thecargo handling apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 shows the cargo handling apparatus of FIG. 1 in its uppermostvertical position.

Referring now to the drawings in detail FIG. 1 shows a cargo handlingapparatus A with a tubular extension 1 extending beyond a block fittingB of a main lift C. At the upper end of extension 1 there is arranged ablock fitting 2 which is journalled on bearings so as to be rotatablewith respect to the axis of the lift. Block fitting 2 carries one ormore cable sheaves 3 and a guide sheave 4 for a cable or tackle 7 of anauxiliary lift.

The block fitting 2 of the auxiliary hoist which carries the upper cargoblock and the guide pulley is rotatable about the axis of the cargoboom, and the guide pulley and the cable pulleys of the upper cargoblock are arranged on the block fitting eccentrically of the axis ofrotation thereof. The spacing of the block fitting of the auxiliaryhoist from the fittings of the main hoist is at least sufficiently largethat, with the lower cargo block and cargo hook of the auxiliary hoistmoved into the raised position and with an approximately verticalposition of the cargo boom, the lower edge of the cargo hook is free ofthe fittings of the main hoist.

As indicated in the top portion of FIG. 1 and as shown in greater detailin FIG. 2 a second extension 11 of the cargo boom extends beyond theblock fitting 2 of the first auxiliary hoist. Extension 11 carries ablock fitting 12 with a cable pulley 13, a lower cargo block 15 and aload hook 16, suspended by a cable or tackle 17.

FIG. 3 shows a modified embodiment of the second auxiliary hoist of FIG.2. Similar elements are designated with the same prime (') numerals.This embodiment is provided with stops 19 for limiting the rotationalmovement of the block fitting 12'.

Thus, the block fitting of the second auxiliary hoist is connectedfixedly (in the embodiment of FIG. 2) or for only limited rotationalmovement (FIG. 3) by means of the second extension 11 of the cargo boomwith the block fitting 2 of the second auxiliary hoist which isrotatable about the axis of the cargo boom. With the lower cargo block(15) and the cargo hook 16 moved into the raised position and anapproximately vertical position of the cargo boom, the lower of thecargo hook 16 of the second auxiliary hoist is preferably free of theblock fitting 2 of the first auxiliary hoist.

The block fitting (12') of the second auxiliary hoist can makerestricted rotational movements through an angle of approximately ±15°about the axis of the second cargo boom extension 11', with the movementbeing limited by the stops 19.

The second auxiliary hoist may operate independently from the firstauxiliary hoist and, with appropriate dimensioning of the connection,can also operate simultaneously.

Finally, FIG. 4 shows the top portion of FIG. 2 in its almost verticalposition prior to passing through the plane of the kingposts X and Y.

I claim:
 1. In a cargo handling apparatus comprising first and secondkingposts arranged spaced apart from one another in a plane; a swivelbearing disposed between said kingposts; a cargo boom having upper andlower ends and pivotably mounted at its lower end on said swivelbearing; first and second span tackles extending between said upper endof said cargo boom and said first and second kingposts, said cargo boombeing capable of being swung through said plane between said kingpostsfrom a first working position on one side of said kingposts to a secondworking position on the other side of said kingposts; a main hoistcarried by said cargo boom, said main hoist including main hoistfittings mounted on said cargo boom at its upper end; a first extensionfixedly connected to the upper end of said cargo boom and projectingbeyond said main hoist fittings and having a longitudinal axis and anupper end; a first auxiliary hoist carried by the upper end of saidfirst extension, said first auxiliary hoist comprising a block fittingrotatable about said longitudinal axis of said first extension, an uppercargo block carried by said block fitting, a guide sheave and cablesheaves arranged on said upper cargo block eccentrically of saidlongitudinal axis, and a lower cargo block having a lower edge, saidblock fitting of said first auxiliary hoist being spaced from said mainhoist fittings so that, in an approximately vertical position of saidcargo boom and in a raised position of said auxiliary hoist saidauxiliary hoist rotates about said first extension and said lower edgeis free of said main hoist fittings: the improvement comprising: asecond extension of said cargo boom, said second extension having upperand lower ends, the lower end of said second extension being fixedlyconnected to said block fitting of said first auxiliary hoist so as tobe rotatable therewith about said axis; and a second auxiliary hoistcarried by said upper end of said second extension, said secondauxiliary hoist comprising a block fitting and upper and lower cargoblocks, said lower cargo block of said second auxiliary hoist having alower edge; in a raised position of said lower cargo block of saidsecond auxiliary hoist adjacent said upper cargo block of said secondauxiliary hoist and in an approximately vertical position of said cargoboom, said lower edge of said lower cargo block of said second auxiliaryhoist being free of the block fitting of said first auxiliary hoist,whereby said block fitting of said second auxiliary hoist is rotatedwith said block fitting of said first auxiliary hoist around said cargoboom when said cargo boom is swung through said plane from one of saidworking positions to the other said block fitting of said secondauxiliary hoist being rotatably connected to said upper end of saidsecond extension for restricted angular rotating movement around saidsecond extension and stoppers mounted on said second extension torestrict said rotating movement.
 2. Cargo handling apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said block fitting of said secondauxiliary hoist is fixedly connected to said upper end of said secondextension.
 3. Cargo handling apparatus in accordance with claim 1wherein said movement is restricted to ±15° around said secondextension.